I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands over the next 4 months and I've got the itch to make something, so I think I'll tackle a new set of speakers.

I want to build a pair that, if I like them enough, will replace my CV DX-5's or be used in addition to them. I would like to get at least as much bass out of them as the CV's, but I want a wider, more encompassing sound if that makes sense. I know a lot of it has to do with the raw power and set up, but I want something closer to the sound that you get from sound reinforcement at concerts. Loud, chest thumping, clear sound that seems to surround you.

As far as power handling I'd like it to be fairly high as they will be powered with a Crown XLS-402 amp for now and probably another more powerful pro amp in the future.

I should mention that I mainly listen to electronic music and metal, with classic rock and alternative thrown in there for when I just want to chill out.

Are there any plans for anything that would fit this already out there? Or can anyone make any recommendations? I don't have a price set yet but the cheaper I can do this for while still sounding good the better.

eWaves with pro-audio woofers will get you part of the way there. Add a killer sub or two to really round out the bottom end. Here's a couple links to look at in addition to the mega-thread over in the speaker section.

I'd recommend a good set of 12" or 15" woofers, and an E-wave high-frequency setup.

I custom-build (recone) woofers just for this. I have a cone kit that I absolutely love in this setup. I've built 12" and 15" versions, into woofer frames from various manufacturers. Power handling limited only by what woofer frame you start with. PM me for details...

I would go with subs, EQ them and run with independent amps. That will make the cabinetry and crossover work so much easier. You can add or subtract pieces as you want. It is no fun having to re-work a large cabinet a couple of times.

I DJ's a party a couple of weekends ago using (what turned out to be a pile) of my vintage stuff: Klipsch Heresy on pole stands. (Don't fault me, I got them with the flange in the bottom.) 1x15 DIY Eminence bass cabinet. 2X10 DIY Eminence cabinet. The problem was getting the two bass cabinets to behave. I ended up with a separate amp channel and EQ for each. Mid bass punch to the 10's. Thump to the 15.

Man, it really sounded sweet in that large room!

The Heresy is a fine sounding speaker in its own right, the main issue being bass. Much better sound quality than a typical plastic PA speaker used by DJ's. Plenty loud when run with subs. Also, they really open up on a pole. ???.

Properly EQ'd, the Eminence kicked. What really impressed me was the mid-bass. The impact sounds of a kick drum. The snare. It sounded like a stinkin' AC-DC concert. I could more than feel the snare, I could taste it.

What tools do you have and how much knowledge do you have of joinery? If all you have is a handheld circular saw, and have never built anything that requires more than nailing two boards together, then building a good set of speakers (PA or otherwise) may not be cost effective.

Shucks, even though I have a decent workshop downstairs, I'm not sure building PA speakers is cost effective. Carpet, glue, wood, corners, feet, handles, etc all add up....
And folks like this have empty cabs for $50. http://www.cheaplights.com/cart/page80.html

Of course, building something tailor-made may trump the cheap-price approach.

There was a lot of good things I have read about Bill Fitzmaurice designs and he offers some interesting and efficient designs which can be had for relatively cheap if you can find drivers at a good price. I don't know what kind of frequency response you end up with, but big SPL seems to be the flavor.

All good suggestions above. I find that a horn based bin delivers a more disperse, involving sound than a straight cabinet. A compression driver with waveguide or horn mates well with the bass bin. This is basically what has been used in sound reinforcement for larger venues. You can also accomplish this at lower power levels if efficient drivers are used.

If Gordon has some of those custom reconed woofers available, that is probably going to be a good choice and you can decide on a cabinet based on those. I would suggest you seriously consider subscribing to AK and looking through the Bartertown section, too. The $25 subscription price would be offset many times over by the deals that are offered there, should you find what you're looking for (and you will).

There was a lot of good things I have read about Bill Fitzmaurice designs and he offers some interesting and efficient designs which can be had for relatively cheap if you can find drivers at a good price. I don't know what kind of frequency response you end up with, but big SPL seems to be the flavor.

I've considered some of those, but some/many of the designs seem to require moderate to high degree of woodworking capability. If you need to have someone else make the cabinets I think the relativity of good price goes out the window.

scoops are a well proven design for p.a cabs as are y bins ..if your amps can take a capacitive load maybe stick some large caps in the bins to give you good bass ? next thing would be an active crossover/ crossovers .. then some mids and tops ...3 decent amps and your away .. you could also put everything in the same boxes and use one amp or tri wire them .. i dunno there's a few ways to do it

I do have some decent woodworking skills and have just about every tool available other than a bandsaw, so I should have no problem with that.

What if I rebuilt my DX-5's? The cabinets are already messed up so building new ones would help, and in the process I could upgrade certain components like the tweeter to an ewave. Is this a good idea?